Woman killed on I-5 near Solana Beach

Woman killed on I-5 near Solana Beach

SAN DIEGO – A woman fleeing the scene of a predawn North County freeway collision was fatally struck by a third vehicle Friday while trying to run across Interstate 5, authorities reported.

The events that led to the traffic fatality began shortly after 4 a.m., when a northbound Hyundai Elantra rear-ended a a Lincoln LS on I-5 in Solana Beach, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The impact sent the latter vehicle skidding onto the eastern edge of the roadway, where it struck a signal that controls traffic entering the freeway from Lomas Santa Fe Drive, CHP public-affairs Officer Mark Latulippe said.

The driver of the Hyundai, believed to be in her 30s or early 40s, pulled to a stop on the interstate, then got out and ran off to the west. The woman managed to make it across the northbound side of the interstate and, after climbing over a center-divider wall, crossed three southbound lanes before a Ford Fiesta struck and killed her, the officer said. She remained unidentified late Friday afternoon.

No other injuries were reported.

The accident left lanes blocked on the freeway in the area until about 8 a.m., according to the CHP.

It was unclear why the woman tried to cross the interstate on foot, Latulippe said.

osed the northbound Lomas Santa Fe onramp to investigate. The lanes were reopened by 7 a.m., although traffic was heavy due to the morning commute.